DROOPYS CLUE improved trainer Seamus Cahill’s great record at Towcester still further with a powerful and thrilling last-gasp success in the Juvenile Classic Final over 500m at Towcester on Sunday.

Trained by Cahill for owner Alex Hambi, the August 2021 son of Out Of Range ASB and Droopys Natalia swooped late to add to the Hove handler’s successes at the Northamptonshire venue which have included two Puppy Derbys, a Lowther Stakes, a Champion Hurdle and, of course, a Greyhound Derby.

Wrighty (John Mullins) was the first to show in Sunday’s £10,000 decider with a slick 4.10sec sectional setting up an early lead, followed by Bombay Zero (Paul Young). Favourite New Destiny (Mark Wallis) paced up but was bumped at the turn, with the eventual winner railing into contention off the second bend.

Droopys Clue then produced a smart turn of back-straight pace to close on Bombay Zero before overcoming that rival and powering up the run-in to grab Wrighty on the line for a short-head success in 29.19sec (+20). Coppice Warrior (Kevin Hutton) kept on well for third, just ahead of New Destiny.

Seamus Cahill, the winner’s trainer, was delighted to see the youngster land the GBGB Category One title – especially after being without luck at Hove’s big Regency/Sussex Cup meeting the night before.

“Things didn’t go to plan for us last night and morale was a bit low to be honest, but winning the Juvenile Classic for Alex makes up for that,” said Cahill. “It’s great to win another big race at Towcester, especially given it was a very competitive final. ‘Cluedo’ has run a cracker and we’re delighted with him.

“He came unraced from the Dunphys and won a few nice races at Hove. We put him in the Derby even though he was very young, and things didn’t work out, but he’s come forward again and looks to have a very nice future. I’d say that future might well be over six bends but we’ll see – it might be sooner rather than later.

“He’s from a nice litter – (Steel City Puppy Derby winner) Droopys Fidget is a litter sister and she’s also strong – and he needed all his strength to get there. John’s (Mullins) dog is really improving and it didn’t look great for us down the back when he was some three lengths clear but Cluedo’s really knuckled down.

“He managed to get to Paul’s (Young) dog at the third bend but just had to check his stride. To be fair he’s shown great trackcraft there before winding up a challenge to win – and thankfully for us he’s got there!”